About Us

Building Small is a connected group of built environment entrepreneurs focused on using real estate development to build community, not commodity. Through our work we demonstrate a more thoughtful, fine grained, and locally responsive way of developing real estate.  Our collaborations champion Building Small as an alternative –  but often overlooked approach – that can bring balance and authenticity to communities who are too often only being offered large, institutionally led solutions.

our PURPOSE

‘To empower small-scale real estate entrepreneurs to successfully (re)build and catalyze communities they believe in’. 

OUR VALUES

Our programs, members, and events are organized around five core values that guide how we operate and where we focus:

  • Do. Solve. Build.  – Creative, informed, realistic perseverance. We move beyond ideas and plans to create tangible results.
  • Foster Financial Freedom Development. – Development literacy creates replicable projects, resilient communities, and long-term financial security.
  • Demonstrate Design Matters – Quality design endures, inspires, and creates lasting social, cultural, and economic value.
  • Create Joy and Meaning – The work we do should fulfill us while delighting and enriching the communities we shape.
  • Make a Dent – Small actions, thoughtfully multiplied over time, create meaningful and lasting positive change

Who is Small?

Small-scale real estate entrepreneurs who are driven to create the kind of places that allow their neighbors and community economies to thrive, while adding an authentic dimension of place to where they live. Unable to find kindred spirits in existing real estate development organizations, our members often referred to themselves as the ‘Island of Misfit Toys’. We are a creative, passionate group of individuals who understand how real estate development works, but want to do something that is more additive, inspired and beneficial to the communities in which we work. Through Building Small we share camaraderie, the ups and downs of our journey, and the practical lessons and insights required to succeed.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Building Small was founded in January 2026, as a member owned LLC.  Small Spark, was created concurrently to provide a vehicle for philanthropic and grant making to support Building Small’s mission. The organization’s Vision and Core Values are held true through oversight by an Executive Committee and Advisory Board.  Program development, execution, and delivery is through six inter-related Content Circles.

Small Spark a project of the Launchpad Foundation, who serves as its fiscal sponsor, in support of Building Small’s goals 

Download our 2025 Impact Report  PDF

 

the Building Small origin Story

In 2011 two colleagues – Jim Heid and Howard Kozloff – questioned why our industry’s energy, focus, and capital was directed only toward ‘Big’ projects. Given interest their shared interest in finer-grained, entrepreneurial projects, they asked, “Are there others that feel the same way?”

With that question, the first Small Developer Forum (SDF) was held in April 2012, developed in collaboration with the Urban Land Institute (ULI). In 2021, following the pandemic and the publication of Building Small: A Toolkit the partnership with ULI ended and Jim took on the SDF as a personal project to expand the reach and impact of the program.

In the years that followed, Building Small has grown into a national movement of Small Developers and supporting cast members, with a book, an online community, Coaching programs and Small Developer Forums that have that have visited 24 different cities, engaged over 1,500 participants, and demonstrated that Big is not the only approach to building community.  

2025 was a watershed year where the message, approach, and ethos of Building Small reached over 3,000 people. With increasing demand for more programs and more reach to deliver the Building Small approach, what started as an informal passion project became a national membership organization in January 2026.

Leadership

FOUNDER + CEO

Jim Heid, FASLA – Since founding Building Small as the Small Developer’s Forum  to elevate the visibility and capacity of entrepreneurial real estate developers, Jim has led the evolution of this conversation into Building Small – first the book and now the organization.  As CEO he continues his thought leadership and strategic oversight of the organization’s expansion and offerings while staying true to its mission.  Trained as a landscape architect, Jim received a Masters in Real Estate Development from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to integrate design and practical economic solutions. His innovative work was recognized with the MIT Spaulding Award in June 2025.  

The leadership team members for Building Small will be announced before July 1, 2026 to fulfill the following roles.

Executive committee

Building Small’s Executive Committee oversee and direct the financial, legal, and operational resources of the entity.   

Board of Advisors

Building Small’s Board of Advisors guide the organization’s program of work – from Small Developer Forums and Small PRO field trips, to programs focused on development of the next generation, design Excellence and innovative capital solutions.   

CONTENT CIRCLES

Building Small’s six Content Circles support the approved Program of Work directed by the Board of Advisors.  The six Content Circles for 2026 include:

  • Events (building community through Forums and Field Trips)
  • Next Generation (building capacity through Small Scholars and Small Coach)
  • Design Excellence (championing great design through Awards and Case Studies)
  • Partners and Membership  (expanding our reach and impact)
  • Communications and Small Talks (publications, messaging and presentations)
  • Capital Solutions (innovative approaches to capitalizing Small projects)

Building Small’s Leadership Team draws from its experienced long time participants and new partners.